Vaporizer with integral heat sink

ABSTRACT

A vaporization device has a vaporizing chamber attached to a stem. A conduit running through the stem places the chamber in fluid communication with a device attached to the abutment of the stem. A lip within the vaporization chamber prevents unvaporized materials from entering the conduit. A heat sink on the stem prevents heat from traveling down the stem from the chamber to the abutment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/726,622 filed Nov. 15, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Endeavor

The present invention relates to a device for vaporizing materials. Specifically, the invention provides a solid state vaporizer with no moving parts that efficiently vaporizes a material without transferring substantial heat beyond the vaporizing chamber.

2. Background Information

There are a great many organic substances from which an essential oil can be extracted. If the essential oil is heated sufficiently, the essential oil will experience a change of state from a liquid into a gaseous state (i.e., a vapor) and will do so without combustion. The vaporized essential oil can then be inhaled to provide a great variety of benefits without inhaling the toxic components that would be present if combustion occurred.

Discovering the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of inhaled vaporized essential oils is likely to become a leading-edge technology. There are enormous varieties of plants from which an essential oil can be extracted, vaporized, and then inhaled. The benefits of but a few of them are only partially understood, at best. With the passage of time it is almost for certain that many benefits, some moderate and some profound, will be discovered appertaining to the inhalation of various types of vaporized essential oils. If benefit is possible through pulmonary entry (i.e., the lungs), the instant invention applies.

A known prior art device exists that is profoundly limited and is comprised essentially of a glass tube that is open at a first end and which includes an enlarged bulb at an opposite second end. A user inhales from the first end. A single small opening is provided at the top of the enlarged bulb. An essential oil is added through the opening at the top of the bulb and allowed to settle in the bottom of the bulb which is then heated to vaporize the oil for inhalation.

The inhalation of a vaporized essential oil may also be useful in avoiding exposure of the beneficial components (i.e., compounds) thereof to enzymes that are present in the stomach. Certain stomach enzymes may destroy or diminish the efficacy of certain compounds that are taken orally. Inhalation provides an alternative path for the entry of these compounds or active ingredients into the bloodstream that averts contact with stomach enzymes.

Accordingly there exists today a need for an essential oil vaporizer that is easy to use and which adequately mixes the vapor with the inhalation stream and which is versatile.

One vaporizer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,524 to Stortz and in a series of related German patents. This “Volcano” vaporizes active plant substances by pumping air through a heated aluminum block, similar to an oven with aeration ducts, and by then delivering vapors to a balloon through which the user inhales the vapors. Water is not employed in the process, so the apparatus does not operate in the manner of a Narghile or “hookah” water pipe.

Another available vaporizer product is the VaporBrothers.™ vaporizer, viewable at http://www.vaporbrothers.com/pages/homepage.html. This is a vaporizing product, but does not employ any significant form of water filtration technology. Limitations of this product also include, but are not limited to restricted draw, narrow airflow, and the absence of water filtration so vapor is neither cooled, nor filtered of dust and metal oxides from a heating element.

As described on http://www.vaposcience.com/and on http://www.aromed.com/en/aromed.html, another commercially available vaporizer product is the “AroMed” Vaporizer, which does employ water filtration. This vaporizer uses a light bulb to generate a hot air source. However, this device suffers from structural limitations that effect performance. The product has restricted vapor yield, is primarily stationary and must sit on a table.

None of the above patents or disclosures describe a device that may be retrofit to a plurality of existing devices designed for smoking. It is therefore desirable to provide such a device.

It is also desirable to provide that allows the vaporization part of the device to obtain the high temperatures necessary for vaporization while not exposing other devices or objects to excess heat.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a vaporizing device comprising a vaporizing chamber having a low heat capacity base, a floor, a rim and a lip. The vaporizing device also includes a stem having an abutment and a conduit that extends from the lip of the vaporizing chamber to the end of the conduit, one or more coupling flanges and a heat sink on the stem proximal to the vaporizing chamber.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a unitary vaporizing device having a heat sink proximal to the vaporizing chamber.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a vaporizer in use in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 shows a vaporizer 10 having an integral thermal buffer in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Vaporizer 10 may include a chamber 12 at one end of a stem 14. In this embodiment, chamber 12 may be substantially cylindrical with a hemispherical or inverted frustoconical base 32 where it may merge with the stem 14. However, Chamber 12 may have any shape but may preferably be radially symmetrical. For example, the chamber may have a pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal vertical cross section. Such symmetries generally simplify use and manufacture, but asymmetrical chambers may also be suitable or preferred for aesthetic reasons. Similarly, stem 14 may be substantially cylindrical but have have any of a variety of cross sections and may be straight or have a nonlinear configuration.

Stem 14 may have a abutment 16 that may be substantially frustoconical in shape. Stem 14 may also include one or more annular coupling flanges 18, each having a different diameter. The base 14 and coupling flanges 18 may be used to hermetically engage the vaporizer 10 with tubes, pipes or other devices to which it may be attached and which may apply an air pressure differential to the vaporizer 10. Coupling flanges 18 may include rims, shoulders, cusps, cuffs, collars or the like to adjoin and facilitate hermetic sealing with a corresponding coupling mechanism of a device. Stem 14 also may include a heat sink 20 formed by a series of annular cooling fins 22.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional or cut-away view of the vaporizer 10. The interior of the chamber 12 may include an annular floor 24 that may surround annular lip 26 and may be defined by chamber wall 28. Floor 24 is the interior side of chamber base 32. Base 32 may be thicker and/or more massive than other parts of the vaporizer and may preferably be comprised of a material having a low heat capacity such that it may be capable of storing and retaining heat and/or emanating heat at a constant rate.

The vaporizer 10 may be comprised entirely of a single material and comprise a unitary body, which may facilitate efficient manufacturing. Alternatively, the chamber 12 may be comprised of a separate material and/or the base 32 may be wholly or partially formed of a separate material.

Lips 25 may extend around the entrance to conduit 30. Conduit 30 may extend the entire longitndinal length of stem 14 and may be in fluid communication with the interior of chamber 12 and may provide fluid communication through the abutment 16 with any device attached to the stem 14 by means of the abutment 16 or any of the one or more coupling flanges 18.

FIG. 3 shows the vaporizer 10 engaged with a suction device 40 that may provide a negative air pressure through the conduit 30, thereby causing air flow through in direction 42. The chamber 12 is heated using a propane torch or other means. Optionally a heating mechanism may be incorporated into the chamber 12 itself. Upon heating, the base 32 may retain a substantial amount of heat energy over a short period. Such that the temperature may remain constant and high for a suitable period of time.

When an essential oil 44 or other material is added to the chamber 12, it sublimates or otherwise may change physical states and become a vapor 50, which may also be partly a colloidal suspension. The negative air differential 42 caused by device 40 causes air flow 48 over the rim 46 of the chamber 12. The air flow 48 may capture the vapor 50 and cause it to flow through conduit 30 and into device 40. Device 40 may provide suction by any suitable means, including inhalation by a person.

The heat generated in the chamber 12 may have a tendency to emanate throughout the vaporizer, including down the stem 14. Device 40 may be comprised of a heat sensitive material, such as for example, glass. An extreme heat gradient can damage or break such heat sensitive materials. When heat travels from the chamber 12 down the stem 14, a substantial portion of the heat is dispersed by the heat sink 20. In this embodiment, the heat sink comprises a plurality of annular fins having a high heat capacity. The heat sink draws thermal energy out of the stem and provides a high surface area allowing the heat to dissipate in the air. Thus, only a relatively small amount of heat is conducted down the stem below the heat sink. A solid state heat sink is shown in the drawings, but other heat sinks may be used such as for example a cooling coil, a fan or other cooling systems used for cooling hot metal.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the invention and which incorporates a thermal buffer, such as a heat sink, as well as mechanisms for connecting to various vaporizer devices. The vaporizer 50 includes a chamber 52 attached to the top of a stem 60. Chamber 52 includes an outer wall 54, a base 56 and is also defined by lips 58 that protrude upward from the opening into conduit 70. The base 56 may be relatively thick compared to other components of the vaporizer 50 and may therefore be capable of retaining heat that may be applied to the vaporizer 50. The heat absorbed by base 56 may be transferred to liquid placed within the chamber 52.

Directly beneath the chamber 52 is a heat sink 64. In this embodiment, heatsink 64 may be comprised of a plurality of annular fins 65 that extend outwardly from stem 60. Fins 65 may optionally be radially symmetric, and may be comprised of material that may have a high heat capacity and be a very poor insulator. The heatsink 64, whether comprised of fins 65 or another mechanism, may dissipate heat which enters it as wasted heat from the chamber 52. The heatsink 54 dissipates any such heat into the ambient air, so that it does not travel further down the stem 60.

Directly beneath the heatsink 64, an annular flange 62 may extend about the stem 60. The annular flange 62 may be utilized to secure the vaporizer 50 to a vaporizing device that provides an air differential, or suction, to the bottom of the stem 60 in order to draw vapor through conduit 70 from chamber 52. The stem 60 may include an enlarged shoulder region 68. The annular flange 62 may include an annular socket 63 formed in part by the shoulder region 68. Socket 63 may provide an ideal means by which a tube, pipe or other device may firmly engage the vaporizer 50. Shoulder region 68 may also provide an added benefit of further dissipating any remaining heat due to its greater mass. Optionally, shoulder region 68 may be comprised of a sleeve or cuff that is slid over the bottom of stem 60. It may be comprised of a separate material, further insulating any device to which it is attached from any heat.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the invention, and which also incorporates a heatsink as well as mechanisms for connecting to various vaporizer devices. The vaporizer 80 may include a chamber 82 defined by an outer wall, 84, a base 86 and lips 88 protruding outward from the opening into a conduit 98. The base 86, as with other embodiment shown, may be relatively thick in order to retain heat applied to the chamber 82 so that it may then be transferred to oils deposited within the chamber. In this embodiment, lips 88 extend upward through the chamber such that they are level with the Rams of outer walls 84. It may be desirable to have lips extend further outward. In order to prevent oils from entering conduit 98. Oils entering conduit 98 may clog the conduit or damage devices to which the vaporizer 80 has been.

Below chamber 82 is heatsink 94, which may be comprised of two annular fins 95. In this embodiment, heatsink 94, has fewer fins and other embodiments. Depending on the amount of heat applied to the chamber 82 and what materials. The vaporizer 80 is comprised of, fewer fins may adequately dissipate any heat traveling down the stem 90. The use of fewer fins may also facilitate airflow about the fins in order to aid dissipation of heat.

Below heatsink 94 is an annular skirt 92 that may form an annular socket 93 between it and stem 90. In this embodiment, skirt 94 is slightly frustoconical in shape. As a result, the socket 93 is slightly frustoconical in shape also. This may aid in forming a snug fit between the vaporizer 80 and a device to which it may be attached. Optionally, an O-ring or other device may be Incorporated into the socket 93.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the invention, which incorporates a heatsink and mechanisms for connecting to other devices. In this embodiment, a chamber 102 may be formed from an outer wall 104, a base 106 and an inner lip 108 protruding from the entrance point of the conduit 117.

In this embodiment, the heatsink 110 is comprised of a plurality of annular fins extending outwardly from the stem 114. An annular flange 112 may be used to create a seal with a device to which the lower part of the stem 114 is connected. A 2nd annular flange 111 may also be included about the stem 114 for the same purpose. Annular flanges 111 and 112 may also serve as ancillary heatsink fins. At the base of the stem 114, an annular cuff 115 may encircle the stem 114. This may also optionally be used to form a seal would connecting the vaporizer 100 to another device.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show another vaporizer 120 in accordance with the principles of the invention. In this embodiment, a chamber 122 includes an outer wall 121, a base 126 and and her lips 128 that circle the entrance to the conduit 136. The base. The chamber may be relatively thick and order to retain heat that may be transferred to the contents of the chamber. In this embodiment, the lips 128 extend upward to an extent equal to the top of the outer wall 121. A heatsink 130, comprised of a plurality of fins 131. A be located below the chamber 122. An annular flange 132 may extend outward annularly about the stem 134 and form an annular socket 135 with the shoulder region 133. The socket 135 may be utilized to form a seal between the vaporizer 120 and a device to which it is attached.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show another embodiment of a vaporizer in accordance with the principles of the invention. Vaporizer 140 may have a chamber 142. At the top of a stem 144. The chamber may be formed by an outer wall 150, a base 146 and inner lips 148 to protrude from the entrance to conduit 160. To heat dissipating fins 152 may be located below the chamber. An annular skirt 154 may form a socket 155 between it and the stem 144. Each of the many embodiment, shown here in include a chamber, a type of heatsink and a means for attaching to another device in descending order along the length of a stem.

Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly indicated.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A vaporizer comprising: a stem having a top and a bottom; a conduit extending through the stem; a chamber at the top of the stem having a chamber wall, a floor, an entrance, and an annular lip surrounding the entrance, and wherein the entrance provides fluid communication between the chamber and the conduit; and, a heat sink on the stem underneath the chamber.
 2. The vaporizer of claim 1 further comprising an abutment at the bottom of the stem, and wherein the conduit extends through the abutment.
 3. The vaporizer of claim 2 further comprising an annular coupling flange on the stem beneath the heat sink.
 4. The vaporizer of claim 1 further comprising an annular coupling flange on the stem beneath the heat sink.
 5. The vaporizer of claim 4 further comprising a shoulder region on the stem and a socket in the annular coupling flange.
 6. The vaporizer of claim 4 further comprising a skirt extending downward from the annular coupling flange.
 7. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein the chamber further comprises a base capable of storing thermal energy.
 8. The vaporizer of claim 1 further comprising a heating mechanism incorporated into the chamber.
 9. The vaporizer of claim 1 wherein the heat sink comprises a plurality of parallel fins.
 10. The vaporizer of claim 9 further comprising an abutment at the bottom of the stem, and wherein the conduit extends through the abutment.
 11. The vaporizer of claim 10 further comprising an annular coupling flange on the stem beneath the heat sink.
 12. The vaporizer of claim 9 further comprising an annular coupling flange on the stem beneath the heat sink.
 13. The vaporizer of claim 12 further comprising a shoulder region on the stem and a socket in the annular coupling flange.
 14. The vaporizer of claim 12 further comprising a skirt extending downward from the annular coupling flange.
 15. The vaporizer of claim 9 wherein the chamber further comprises a base capable of storing thermal energy.
 16. The vaporizer of claim 15 further comprising an annular coupling flange on the stem beneath the heat sink.
 17. The vaporizer of claim 11 wherein the chamber further comprises a base capable of storing thermal energy.
 18. The vaporizer or claim 17 wherein the lip of the chamber extends upward from the chamber floor substantially the same distance as the chamber wall.
 19. The vaporizer of claim 9 further comprising a heating mechanism incorporated into the chamber.
 20. A method for vaporizing an oil comprising: providing a vaporizer comprising a stem having an top end and a bottom end, a conduit extending through the stem, a chamber at the top end of the stem having a chamber wall, a floor, a base underneath the floor, an entrance, and an annular lip surrounding the entrance, and a heat sink on the stem underneath the chamber, wherein the entrance provides fluid communication between the chamber and the conduit; heating the base of the chamber to a temperature capable of vaporizing an oil; placing the oil into the chamber on the floor of the chamber between the chamber wall and the annular lip; applying negative air pressure to the bottom end of the stem such that oil vaporized in the chamber is drawn through the conduit; dissipating heat transferred from the chamber to the stem by means of the heat sink underneath the chamber. 